Phillies add set-up man in Mike Adams: MLB moves

Reliever expected to be ready for spring training after surgery to stop numbing in fingers

New Phillies relief pitcher Mike Adams had surgery in October for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a numbing sensation in his fingers that sidelined him the last week of the season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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The Phillies and reliever Mike Adams have finalized a $12 million US, two-year contract.

The 34-year-old right-hander is expected to fill the eighth-inning role for the Phillies. He was 5-3 with a 3.27 earned-run average last season for the Texas Rangers.

Adams's deal, which was completed on Thursday, includes a club option for 2015 that would become guaranteed at $6 million if he has 65 games pitched in 2014. His 2015 salary would become guaranteed at $6.5 million if he has 120 games pitched in 2013 and 2014 combined, with at least 60 in 2014.

Adams had surgery in October for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, a numbing sensation in his fingers that sidelined him the last week of the season, and he's expected to recover by spring training.

Overall, Adams is 18-15 with a 2.28 ERA in 358 appearances — all in relief — in eight seasons. He pitched for Milwaukee and San Diego before joining the Rangers during the 2011 season.

3B Polanco joins Marlins

Third baseman Placido Polanco has agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract with the Miami Marlins.

The 37-year-old battled injuries this year and hit .257 with two home runs and 19 RBIs in 90 games with the Philadelphia Phillies. The 15-year veteran is a career .299 hitter with 103 homers.

The deal Thursday, which includes $250,000 in performance bonuses, solidifies the Marlins' lineup following a payroll purge. Other projected starters include Logan Morrison at first, Donovan Solano at second, Adeiny Hechavarria at shortstop, Jeff Brantly at catcher, Giancarlo Stanton in right, Justin Ruggiano in centre and Juan Pierre in left.

Polanco was chosen to start in the All-Star game for the second time in 2011, but last year he went only 10 for 58 (.172) after June 30.

Cubs reportedly sign Edwin Jackson

A person familiar with the situation tells The Associated Press that the Chicago Cubs have agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with right-hander Edwin Jackson.

The person spoke Thursday on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced. Several outlets had previously reported the agreement.

The Cubs will be the eighth team in 11 years for the 29-year-old Jackson, who also pitched for the White Sox. He is 70-71 lifetime with a 4.40 ERA. He was 10-11 with a 4.03 ERA for Washington last season.

The Cubs also were trying to reach a deal with pitcher Carlos Villanueva. That would give them seven experienced starters, including newcomers Scott Baker and Scott Feldman and holdovers Matt Garza, Jeff Samardzija and Travis Wood.

Twins, Pelfrey finalize 1-year contract

Recovering right-hander Mike Pelfrey and the Minnesota Twins finalized a $4 million, one-year contract on Thursday, filling another hole in a thin rotation.

For Pelfrey, the simple opportunity to pitch — rather than competing with several others for a spot on a team with a deeper staff — was what lured him to Minnesota. Target Field's reputation as a place that's difficult to hit home runs in helped, too, as did the chance to move closer to his home in Wichita, Kan.

After making only three starts for the New York Mets in 2012, a season cut short by elbow ligament-replacement surgery on May 1, Pelfrey's passion for the sport was renewed as well. He said in a phone interview on Thursday he's fully confident he'll be ready for the start of spring training, a little more than 10 months removed from the Tommy John procedure.